McCain Foods has acquired a minority stake in Irish plant-based frozen foods business Strong Roots, in a deal worth $55 million. The investment will enable Strong Roots to expand its footprint in existing markets, including the UK, Ireland and the US, as well as enter new markets. The deal will also allow the company to expand into the foodservice market through McCain’s out-of-home channel. Strong Roots’ founder and CEO, Samuel Dennigan, said: “Working in partnership with McCain Foods means that we are able to grow our brand and the values it stands for while providing us at Strong Roots with the resources and capabilities we need to see change globally and impactfully”. Founded in 2015, Strong Roots offers healthy, plant-based frozen food products, including cauliflower hash browns, mixed root vegetable fries, spinach bites and kale & quinoa burgers. You may also like to read: McCain Foods announces new plant-based brand McCain backs vertical farming firm GoodLeaf’s expansion plans McCain to construct $200m potato plant in China #McCainFoods #StrongRoots #US

Speciality minerals company Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL) has opened a new 10,000-square-foot alternative protein facility in Missouri, US. The manufacturing site will transform plant protein into fibres that have a similar texture to traditional meat. The plant was constructed on ICL’s existing 19-acre production campus in St. Louis and is expected to produce over 15 million pounds of product each year at full capacity. The vegan, non-GMO and allergen-free products can be used in food applications to replace meat, poultry and seafood. According to the company, the investment represents an expansion of ICL’s global Food Specialties portfolio. ICL’s EVP of food and phosphate speciality products, Chris Millington, said: “This new facility will help meet the growing demand for innovative plant-based foods and meat alternatives – especially ones that deliver an eating experience similar to that of conventional meat products”. He continued: “Food manufacturers are looking for meatless options that will offer sustainable, functional and nutritional value in the meat-alternative category, and we’re proud to provide them with a solution”. Greater St. Louis’s CEO, Jason Hall, added: “This is an exceptional investment in our region’s growing food and agtech sector and it highlights our increasing strength innovating to shape the future of the industry, including plant-based proteins”. He continued: “With this investment and expansion in St. Louis from a global firm, ICL is demonstrating continued confidence in the St. Louis metro and showing why we are the strategic location of choice for innovators defining the next chapter of food and agriculture”. #facility #ICL #US

UK plant-based meal brand Bol Foods is expanding its extensive vegan range with new winter recipes, in time for Veganuary. The new recipes include: Energy Boosting Thai Red Coconut & Lentil, Immune Boosting Roasted Butternut Squash & Chilli Power Soups, an Italian Roasted Tomato Pasta Veg Pot, a Sweet Potato Katsu Curry One Pot Meal, Spicy Firecracker Udon, Japanese Yakisoba Posh Noodles and a Chickpea Masala Dinner Box. Each one is packed with healthy plant protein, fibre and up to four portions of vegetables alongside fragrant herbs and spices. Paul Brown and Jess Vara, senior brand managers at Bol Foods, said: “The NPD we launched in the summer has transformed Bol, contributing to 55% of our overall monthly volume and helping us to feed the UK 350,000 plant-based meals.” They continued: “We want to continue creating delicious, plant-based recipes that excite and interest all consumers, whether they are passionate plant-eaters, or those looking to eat a little less meat each week and we believe our new recipes are set to do just that”. The new releases will be launched in Tesco stores nationwide. #BolFoods #UK

The US division of flavour company T. Hasegawa has unveiled its all-natural, plant-based Emulsitract milk colloid emulsion. Developed in Japan, the new patented technology produces creamy low-fat foods and beverages while reducing the use of edible oils. Emulsitract is available in the US in both liquid and powder form. According to T. Hasegawa USA, the new flavour innovation supports brands to “simulate the creaminess and rich mouthfeel of traditional whole milk,” in a wide range of drinks, packaged foods and dairy alternatives, including coffee creamers, ice cream, dressings, protein beverages, yogurt, pudding, whipped cream, as well as dairy-alternative beverages. “Consumers are familiar with the rich mouthfeel that traditional whole milk fat provides, and expect these attributes in dairy-free beverages, low-fat foods and other products,” said T. Hasegawa’s VP of research and development, Jim Yang. “Emulsitract is the result of our efforts to produce an all-natural solution that delivers the creamy richness that consumers demand.” T. Hasegawa USA’s senior beverage technologist, Holden Rouse, added: “Use of edible oils has long been a shortcut to simulating milk fat in certain liquid products like non-dairy coffee creamer and dressings, but Emulsitract can mimic this taste in a more natural and authentic way”. He continued: “This technology can significantly reduce fat in certain beverages while still delivering a full-bodied mouthfeel. Emulsitract is capable of changing the way we approach reduced-fat products, without compromising on flavour or experience.” #Dairyalternative #THasegawa #THasegawaUSA

British soft drinks brand AG Barr has acquired a 60% majority stake in Moma Foods, with an agreed path to full ownership over the next three years. UK breakfast company Moma Foods is known for its plant-based oat milk, porridge, low-sugar granola and bircher muesli. Tom Mercer, founder and CEO of Moma Foods, commented: “I’m hugely excited to embark on the next phase of Moma’s growth with AG Barr. I believe that together we can harness the passion that is integral to Moma and grow into a significantly bigger brand. We’re 100% focused on crafting oats into the tastiest food and drink products we can and I’m looking forward to the next leg of our journey.” The investment is not expected to have a material impact on AG Barr’s profits for the current financial year ending 30 January 2022. Back in 2019, AG Barr bought a 20% majority stake in Stryyk owner Elegantly Spirited. #AGBarr #Moma #UK

UK vegan and vegetarian brand Goodlife has released three new products to add to its range, launching in time for Veganuary. The three new product launches include a Vegetable Firecracker Melt, Vegetable Paella Slice and the Loaded Burrito Veg Burger. The Vegetable Firecracker Melt are rice cakes consisting of a base of rice, edamame beans and asparagus topped with a spicy gochujang sauce and coated in a crispy crumb. The Vegetable Paella Slice is inspired by a traditional recipe for Valencian rice cakes. The paella includes a blend of arborio rice, tomato, peppers, olives and smoked paprika. Lastly, the Loaded Burrito Veg Burger is loaded with jackfruit, mozzarella, tomatoes, black turtle beans and a fusion of chipotle chilli and smoked paprika. Becky McCaul, marketing and category manager at Goodlife, said: “We’re so excited to add three new products to the Goodlife range and can’t wait for consumers to try them. Each product has been developed with a focus on creating unique and delicious flavour profiles, to transform plant-based mealtimes – without the need for meat mimicry.” She continued: “All dishes are ready in 30 minutes or less and we’re confident they will become a freezer favourite for vegans, veggies and flexi veggies who want to prioritise eating well during a busy week.” The new products will be available in Morrisons from January 2022 for an RRP of £2.25 each. #Goodlife #UK

Canadian plant-based dairy company Plant Veda Foods has introduced a new product line of probiotic yogurt alternative, PlantGurt. The new range features three flavours: plain unsweetened, mango and blueberry. According to the company, “one tub of PlantGurt contains billions of probiotics”. “With PlantGurt we will be able to address the largest product format in the yogurt market – the tub,” said Plant Veda’s co-founder and director of product innovation, Vanita Gurnani. PlantGurt is available for purchase on the company’s website and is expected to roll out in retail stores in early 2022. #PlantVedaFoods #Canada #yogurt #Dairyalternative #PlantGurt

DSM has agreed to acquire Norwegian company Vestkorn Milling for an enterprise value of €65 million, as it looks to accelerate its growth in the plant-based protein market. Based in Tau, Norway, Vestkorn Milling is a producer of pea- and bean-derived protein, and supplies proteins, starches and dietary fibres for plant-based foods. The acquisition is a further step in DSM’s strategy to build an alternative protein portfolio. According to DSM, Vestkorn Milling’s portfolio complements its own broad offering to companies developing plant-based food and beverages, which includes vitamins, algal lipids and minerals to improve nutritional value; and texturizing hydrocolloid, flavours, yeast extracts and enzymes to improve protein taste and functionality. Patrick Niels, EVP of DSM’s food and beverage division, said: “Food and beverage producers around the world are looking to partners who can offer an integrated portfolio of ingredients, expertise and solutions to help them differentiate and get to market fast”. He continued: “This is especially important in the highly dynamic meat alternatives space, where consumer and societal expectations around authentic taste, texture and nutritional profile, as well as climate impact, are becoming more and more sophisticated”. Aslak Lie, Vestkorn Milling’s CEO, added: “Through the cooperation with DSM we have taken a huge step towards becoming a global leader of pulse-based ingredients. Over the past years, we have significantly expanded our business and market. With DSM, we have got a long-term-oriented owner that will fuel further growth and expansion.” The transaction, which is subject to customary conditions, is expected to close this year. DSM recently announced it had agreed to acquire dairy-based flavouring firm First Choice Ingredients for $453 million. #DSM #plantbased #VestkornMilling

Kavli Group‘s Primula squeezy cheese brand will enter into the plant-based market with the launch of Primula Perfectly Plant. According to Primula, the new flavour is fully endorsed by UK charity The Vegan Society and is “the only plant-based cheese alternative available in an easy-to-use tube format”. Primula’s head of marketing, Lisa Thornton, said: “Our loyal brand following since 1924 gives us the perfect heritage to launch into the dairy alternative market…This product also offers an amazing taste experience for the growing number of flexitarians, identified as a key trend to watch for in 2022.” Primula’s NPD manager, Nicole Herbert, added: “Since 2020, 500,000 Brits have given up meat, and with younger generations significantly more likely to follow a meat-free diet, a plant-based product was the obvious next choice for us. Primula Perfectly Plant has been in development for two years to create the perfect recipe and we worked closely with vegan consumers to develop the flavour.” She continued: “This will be the first vegan processed cheese alternative in the UK, developed in a fully recyclable tube”. Primula Perfectly Plant will launch in early 2022 for a retail price of around £1.60. In September, Kavli Group launched a limited-edition Primula ‘Burger Cheese’ spread. #KavliGroup #Primula #UK

Fiberstar has added Citri-Fi TX20 to its range of methylcellulose-free solutions for clean-label meat alternatives. The ‘next-generation’ texturizing citrus fibre can be used with specific plant-based proteins such as potato and canola. According to Fiberstar, Citri-Fi TX20 provides firmness, ‘thickening power’ and meat-like texture with minimal flavour. Fiberstar president and CEO, John Haen, said that “food manufacturers are scrambling for ways to improve meat substitute texture in addition to food labelling”. The company’s new Citri-Fi TX20 has no E number and can be labelled as citrus fibre, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour. #Fiberstar #meatalternatives

Upfield-owned dairy-free cheese brand Violife has released two new vegan cheese variations to add to its portfolio in time for the festive season. The new products include Tex Mex Flavour Grated and new round Mozzarella Flavour Slices. Tex-Mex Flavour Grated is a spicy flavoured cheese and can be added to vegan dishes such as fajitas and bean chilli. The stretchy mozzarella slices can be added to a sandwich or caprese salad. Both offerings are fortified with vitamin B12, 100% vegan and are completely free from dairy, soya, gluten, lactose, nuts, preservatives and emulsifiers. Bianca Harris, senior marketing manager at Violife, said: “At Violife, we’re proud to offer customers new flavours to be enjoyed with loved ones. Having recently ventured into plant-based butter and cream, we’re committed to continue innovating the dairy alternatives category and new flavours like the Tex Mex Flavour Grated and Mozzarella Flavour Slices are part of our ongoing mission to provide customers with 100% vegan alternatives that can be enjoyed by everyone.” The new additions are available now from Waitrose stores nationwide for an RSP of £2.65 each. #UK #UpfieldGroup #Violife

JBS USA-owned Planterra Foods’ Ozo is expanding its line of plant-based proteins with the launch of True Bite plant-based chicken cutlet and chicken shreds. Ozo’s plant-based chicken products will be available in four seasoning options: garlic & herb cutlet, sea salt & pepper cutlet, BBQ shreds and rotisserie-style shreds. According to the company, the new offerings mimic the taste and texture of traditional chicken and are packed with protein, more fibre and less fat than regular meat. “As time goes on, the demand for protein will only continue to increase and the world won’t be able to satisfy that demand with meat-based products alone,” said Planterra Foods CEO Darcey Macken. “With chicken being the most popular protein in the United States, it was clear we needed to create a plant-based option where people don’t have to sacrifice this mealtime favourite and have a more sustainable option.” True Bite’s chicken cutlets and shreds, which are 100% vegan and non-GMO, will be available at grocery stores nationwide in early 2022. Earlier this year, Planterra Foods opened a new research and development centre in Lafayette, Colorado. #JBSUSA #Ozo #PlanterraFoods #US